It was just two weeks ago that more than 200 photographers gathered at The Fillmore in Silver Spring for The Event: a day packed to the gills with 10 speakers & hours of content, a room buzzing with energy as people began to fill the seats. Those nervous sort of laughs rang out as those of us accustomed to spending days at home by ourselves finally matched Instagram handles with real names and warm hugs, and the minutes ticked by until the day’s events were set to begin. And then finally Mary Marantz took the stage.

She has this way of cutting through pretense and excuses, speaking right to your heart, saying those things you desperately needed to hear without ever knowing you were in need. And what better way to start things off than with honesty and permission? Raw, honest-to-goodness talk from Mary.

And that was the whole day- honesty, transparency, boldness, meat-and-potatoes, practicality, daring, audacity. Aha moments dawning, furious note-taking, hands cramping, minds racing, burdens lifting, businesses growing. I don’t think anyone was positive of what the day would look like before it happened, but we were all blown away regardless of out expectations.

I had the absolute honor of being asked to be part the speaker line-up, and sharing from the stage about how saying “no” in business will not only serve to grow you faster, but will more importantly serve to clarify the things that matter MOST in the end (which usually isn’t your business, if you’ll believe it!). Amidst listening to all the other incredible speakers, J&M, Natalie Franke, Katelyn James, Jenna Kutcher, Jen Olmstead, Ashley Scobey, Hope Taylor & Elle Danielle, I found myself feeling so, SO grateful for being included in such a ground-shaking day, and thankful to Justin & Mary for making it happen in the first place. It was a game-changing day for so many of the business owners who attended, and I’m just so proud of those two for making it happen!

Also, they just announced yesterday that for the folks who weren’t able to attend the January 5th event, there’s now an online version! Head over here for the full summary of the talks included on the recording, and if you use the code ABBY by the end of the week, it’ll take $70 off the cost of the recording :).

And lastly, a photo from one of the coolest moments of my career/life thus far: standing backstage with my hands shaking, waiting to go on and present my talk, and hearing Mary introduce me with some of the kindest words I’ve heard someone use to describe my business. And it was one of those “is this real life?” moments, because I’ve been following/admiring/looking up to J&M for five years now. And to hear one of your mentors speak about you that way to a room full of 200+ industry peers, it makes it really hard not to cry! Thank you so much, Mary!

And I’m not really sure what’s happening here, but I love it SO MUCH. Jenna Kutcher is the most authentic person I’ve ever met, and this is proof of that. Homegirl gave her talk in yoga pants. I love her!

**all photo credits go to Annamarie Akins & Sharon Elizabeth!**